After months of planning and prayer, the first of five Eucharistic Mini Congresses took place at St. Gabriel Parish in Concord Township. Barb Brandt and Ken Mancuso, along with a group of other volunteers, planned the event.
“It was our privilege to host and plan one of the five Eucharistic Mini Congresses,” said Father Fred Pausche, St. Gabriel pastor. “Our planning committee put a tremendous amount of work and prayer into this day, the purpose of which was to deepen and extend the spirit of the Eucharistic Revival, which should never come to an end for any of us. The past three formal years of this revival were meant to be a ‘jump start’ for that deeper appreciation and living out of God’s greatest gift to us, the Eucharist, that we are all called to celebrate each week – even more if possible – and then go into the world and proclaim the good news to all people,” Father Pausche said.
He noted the Eucharist “Is meant to be our life, the source and summit of who we are and all we do. Only you and the Lord can judge and evaluate where your life is and how the Eucharist revives and shapes ever aspect of your life.”
Christy Cabaniss, diocesan director of missionary discipleship, said among the other mini congresses planned those being hosted at St. Ambrose Parish in Brunswick (March 15), St. Peter Parish in North Ridgeville (March 22) and St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Cleveland (Spanish, March 29). Check the events page on the diocesan website for additional information.
The St. Gabriel event included a morning Eucharistic procession and adoration, keynote speakers Elvis Grbac and Dr. Ray Guarendi, breakout sessions, lunch, an afternoon Eucharistic procession and litany of healing and repentance, adoration, reflection and reconciliation, benediction and Mass.
Mancuso said Grbac and Guarendi filled in for Dr. Marcellino D’Ambrosio, the original keynote speaker, who was unable to attend due to illness. Grbac, a former NFL quarterback, is a well-known Catholic speaker, as is Guarendi, a clinical psychologist, author and speaker.
Grbac talked about his faith life and how the Eucharist helped fortify him and bring him success in his NFL career and after.
Guarendi discussed the authenticity of the Eucharist and how there is no doubt it is the body, blood, soul and divinity – the complete presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist, also known as holy Communion.
Speakers for the breakout sessions were Mary von Carlowitz, director of the diocesan Office for Human Life, Father Damian Ference, diocesan vicar for evangelization, Father Tim Plavac, pastor of St. Bede Parish in Mentor, and Father David Stavarz, administrator of Holy Family Parish in Parma.
Von Carlowitz spoke on “Encountering Jesus (Let me Count the Ways).”
Father Ference’s topic was “Bring Them Home (Inviting Back Those who Have Left the Church).”
Father Plavac addressed “Whose am I? (My Identity in Christ)” and Father Stavarz discussed “That Somebody Special in Your Life (My Relationship With Jesus).”
About 100 people participated in the mini congress, Brandt and Mancuso said, most from St. Gabriel.
During the litany of healing and repentance, Father Joshua Trefney, St. Gabriel parochial vicar, stressed the importance of forgiveness. “Let it go,” he told congress attendees. “Try to open your heart to Jesus’ healing. Allow him to sit with you, to hold you, to love you.”
The faithful had time for reflection and several priests were available to hear confessions prior to the celebration of the vigil Mass.
Both Brandt and Mancuso said the event involved a great deal of work, but they were pleased with the result.